A Message of Solidarity with Workers from Cindy Sheehan

A MESSAGE FROM CINDY SHEEHAN

Working women and men, I stand with you, because I am one of you!

Some people call me the “Peace Mom," because of my unwavering work and stand for peace. In 2004, my son Casey made the ultimate sacrifice for war profiteering and imperial hubris; he was only in the Army because he wanted to take pressure off of his family for college tuition. Because I am one of you, I know that working women and men make substantial sacrifices every day of their lives.

You do it for your kids. For your spouse. And yes, even for your country.

But the sacrifices you are being asked to make today (and make no mistake, leaders of both political parties are responsible) are excessive, egregious, unconscionable and simply unthinkable in the context of personal freedom, collective responsibility, and unconditional equality.

We hear a lot of talk from politicians about compassion and concern, but the minute a politician, or a CEO, thinks the cost of doing business is too high, all that talk goes out the window – and workers pay the ultimate price.

WE MUST CHANGE THAT AND THE STRUGGLE HAS BEGUN!

This is NOT a financial issue! State and national deficits rise and fall with economic cycles. Those who would rob you of your rights know this, and they are lying! They want to scare you into giving up your rights.

DON’T LET THEM! WE MUST STAND FIRM!

This is not a political issue! It has nothing to do with conservatives or liberals, as some try to portray it. A brand new poll says that over 60 percent of American workers SUPPORT your right of collective bargaining!

No my friends, this is not a financial issue. This is not a political issue. IT IS A HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE!

If a president or a governor or a legislature or a board of directors can organize to try to steal away your rights, you must exercise your basic right to organize against them!

THAT BASIC HUMAN RIGHT IS WHAT’S AT STAKE HERE, MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS! I STAND WITH YOU IN DEFENDING IT!

Stand your ground, fight for every thing that is rightfully yours, but don't let your principled and courageous stand be co-opted for crass political gain. Politicians love to grandstand on our movements and co-opt our sacrifices for votes and political contributions, but have a way of conveniently forgetting their promises shortly after election day.

As this assault on your rights continues, take a minute to think about how it happened. We got to this place because we have voted, year after year, for the LESSER OF TWO EVILS. Remember this fact the next time you vote, and remember this: THE LESSER OF TWO EVILS IS STILL EVIL.

If America is serious about leading the way in human rights, we must protect and expand the rights of those who keep America going: the working class.